Geology

Geological maps provide information on the geological composition of the superficial strata of the terrestrial crust at scales of between 1:25,000 and 1:500,000. Geological features and relationships are portrayed by means of colour, conventional signs and symbols. Thus areas of colour provide information on the distribution, type and age of the rock formations. The position and extent of faults, erosion features, springs and numerous other geological objects are indicated by point and line symbols and signs.

Digital data are becoming ever more important in geology. All existing 1:25,000 scale sheets of the Geological Atlas of Switzerland are already available as “pixel maps” in digital raster form. Moreover, Geological vector data are being produced at an intense rate in order to produce seamless geological maps of the entire area of Switzerland in the near future.